A TIMES & INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE IRISH NOVEL PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2016 SHORTLISTED FOR THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE LONGLISTED FOR THE GLASS BELL AWARD It's 1981 a year of riots & royal weddings The Dukes of Hazzard is on TV Curly Wurlys are in the shops & trying to find a place in it all is nine-year-old Leon He & his little brother Jake have gone to live with Maureen They've lost one home but have they found another? Maureen feeds & looks after them She has wild red hair & mutters swearwords under her breath when she thinks they can't hear She claims everything will be okay But will they ever see their mother again? Who are the couple who secretly visit Jake? Between the street violence & the street parties Leon must find a way to reunite his family' Startlingly funny Balances the gritty with the feel good' Observer' Vivid & endearing
- a very powerful book' Emma Healey bestselling author of Elizabeth is Missing' Authentic & beautiful urgent & honest this novel makes room in your heart' Chris Cleave bestselling author of The Other Hand